Ubayy ibn Ka'b
Ubayy ibn Ka'b ibn Qays ibn Ubayd ibn Mu'awiya ibn Amr ibn Malik was one of the Ansar from the Aws and Khazraj tribes who resided in Medina. His mother was Suhaylah bint al-Najjar.
He had two nicknames: the first was Abu al-Mundhir, which was given to him by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the second was Abu al-Tufayl, which was given to him by the companion Umar ibn al-Khattab. In this article, we will mention some general information about him.
The Islam of Ubayy ibn Ka'b
Ubayy ibn Ka'b was among those who declared their Islam early on. He witnessed the second pledge of al-Aqaba. After the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, migrated to Medina, Ubayy remained close to him and participated in many battles, such as the Battle of the Trench, the Battle of Uhud, and the Battle of Badr. He was also one of the scribes of the Revelation.
The Prophet entrusted him with the task of teaching the group the Quran. When the Prophet was absent, he appointed Ubayy as the imam for the Muslims in the mosque. The Prophet said in a hadith: "Take the Quran from four: from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (he started with him), Salim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa, Mu'adh ibn Jabal, and Ubayy ibn Ka'b" [Sahih al-Bukhari].
Ubayy ibn Ka'b and the Recitation of the Quran
Ubayy ibn Ka'b was renowned for his excellent recitation of the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, testified that he was among the best reciters of the Quran in the Muslim community. The companion Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, also regarded him as one of the best companions in reciting the Quran.
Some historians mentioned that Ubayy would complete the recitation of the entire Quran at least every eight days. He was also known for his fine handwriting, which is why the Prophet chose him to be one of the primary scribes of the revelation.
The Moral Qualities of Ubayy ibn Ka'b
Ubayy ibn Ka'b was one of the best companions in terms of morality. Having been nurtured by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. He was known for his piety and faith, as well as his abundant worship and responsiveness to prayer.
Ubayy was also famous for teaching and instructing people in the Quran. He continued to advise and educate them on the fundamentals of religion even after the Prophet Muhammad's death. Additionally, he taught people the noble hadiths of the Prophet.
The Physical Characteristics of Ubayy ibn Ka'b
Ubayy ibn Ka'b was of medium height, neither short nor tall. He was distinguished by his fair complexion and his white beard.
The Death of Ubayy ibn Ka'b
Ubayy ibn Ka'b passed away during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. However, the exact year of his death is still uncertain. Some sources suggest he died in the year 19 AH (After Hijra), while others argue for the year 20 AH.
